Oromo and Amhara unifying to protest against the government – Quartz Africa

WRITTEN BY Abdi Latif Dahir, Quartz Africa —

Ethiopia has experienced significant economic growth over the last 25 years, in part by embracing an authoritarian development model. But dissatisfaction with the government’s heavy-handed approach has mounted in recent months, culminating this weekend with thousands of demonstrators from two ethnic groups taking to the streets for the first time together to demand land reform, full political participation, and an end to human rights abuses in the country.

The demonstrations initially began in November last year in response to the government’s “Addis Ababa Integrated Master Plan,” which sought to expand the capital, currently home to more than 4.6 million people, into neighboring towns and villages inhabited by the Oromo, the country’s largest ethnic group. The Oromo said the plan would displace farmers and stymie the growth of their culture and identity.

The Ethiopian government reacted with brutal force. Human Rights Watch estimates around 400 protesters were killed, many of them students under 18 (the government disputes that number). Thousands were arrested, and Oromo community and government leaders were charged under the country’s harsh counterterrorism laws. Many have since gone on hunger strike to protest the conditions they are facing in prison. Despite this crackdown, the government bowed to pressure created by the protests, canceling the project in January.

In response, the Ethiopian government on Friday banned any types of demonstrations and blocked social media. People came out to protest anyway, and at least 97 people from both groups were believed killed by Ethiopian security forces, Amnesty International reported.

“I think we are reaching a tipping point,” says Mohammed Ademo, a Washington DC-based freelance journalist and founder of OPride.com, a website about Ethiopia, and the Oromia region in particular. “In my entire life, as a one-time protestor and organizer myself, I have never seen demonstrations taking place across the country in one day.”

Ethiopia’s government is dominated by the ethnic Tigray, who make up six percent of Ethiopia’s population of 99 million people. The ruling Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) has been in power for 25 years, and the country’s parliament has no single opposition member.

This was particularly evident under the leadership of the former prime minister, Meles Zenawi. During his 17-year rule, Zenawi reduced the number of Ethiopians living in extreme poverty, accelerated manufacturing and oversaw the planning of large-scale industrial projects like the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam. At the same time, the government clamped down on press freedom, and curtailed civil and political rights, according to US-based advocacy group Freedom House.

Current prime minister Haile Mariam Dessalegn on Friday called thedemonstrations a threat to national security. Using the hash tag #OromoProtests, opposition members and supporters abroad took to Twitter and Facebook to showcase the size of the protests and decry the government’s response. Some inside the country managed to circumvent the social media ban using proxy servers, says Ademo, before the government completely shut down internet access. Graphic photos and videos were shared, some appearing to show police beating demonstrators.

This show of unity between the Oromo and Amhara is unprecedented since the EPRDF came into power in 1991. It’s likely the government’s response will only unify the groups further, Ademo believes. “The government’s insistence on dealing with the protests only through more crackdown and repression is only likely to exacerbate tensions and draw in other marginalized groups,” Ademo says. “Either way you look at it, these are extraordinary times for Ethiopia and the youth are saying ‘Nu Gaye, Baqa’—enough is enough.”

Ethiopia is a key US ally in the Horn of Africa, receiving hundreds of millions of dollars in aid every year. During a visit there last year, president Barack Obama was criticized for praising the country’s leadership and calling it “democratically elected,” even as human rights and opposition groups have described the country as effectively an authoritarian regime.

Opposition groups have also taken aim at mainstream media’s“Ethiopia Rising” narrative, which they say overlook ethnic discontents across the country. With the scale of recent protests, it’s unlikely they’ll be able to ignore them anymore.

Disclaimer: We are not responsible for any losses or damages that may have caused by using our services. EMF declines all responsibility for the contents of the materials stored by users. Each and every user is solely responsible for the posts.

Posted by ethioforum
on August 10, 2016. Filed under FEATURED.
You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0.
Both comments and pings are currently closed.

By Abdur Rahman Alfa Shaban (AN) 13 -12 2017 The United States Embassy in Ethiopia says it is troubled and saddened by deadly violence in the country over the past two days. Reports indicate that about 15 people were killed by state forces in the town of Chelenko in the…

A film Review: By Berhane Tadese Yenegen Alweldem (የነገን አልወልድም) Produced by: Fortuna Moges Running Time: 1 hour 58 minutes “Mengistu’s Red Terror campaign”. Ethiopian’s darkest chapter. December 11, 2017 “Yenegen Alweldem” is a film based on true story that reflects the life of Ethiopians in the revolutionary upheaval of…

TPLF and Afar Liyu Hayle’s Campaign to Dislodge ARDUF Fighters from their Bases Aggravates the Security Situation in the Region ARDUF Press Release A heavy fighting that raged for several weeks between TPLF forces assisted by Afar Liyu Hayle started a military campaign to dislodge the ARDUF (UGUUGUMOO) fighters from…

In his famous play called hahu weyim pepu, Laureate Tsegaye Gebremedhin metaphorically captured Ethiopia as a mother that consecutively miscarried pregnancies of democracy. In a period shy of half-century, we’ve witnessed two such ‘miscarriages’. Yet again, Ethiopia is in a third ‘labor’; the TPLF regime has being facing mounting pressures…

Although National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day is February 7th, it is important to pause in remembrance and respect for those who have died from this devastating disease, to recommit ourselves to assist and support those who currently live with the disease, and reaffirm our continuing commitment to work and struggle…

In a documentary by Oromia Broadcasting Network (OBN) the president of Oromia Regional State, Obbo Lemma Megersa, speaks about the recent crackdown on rent-seakers and illicit trades. “In Ethiopian history, the most awful and gravely far reaching land abuse that has ever happened is the land of Oromo”, explains Lemma.…